asked whether the right hon. Gentleman can lay upon the Table of the House any correspondence that has-passed between him and the British Ambassador at Washington relative to the participation of this nation in the San Francisco Exhibition of 1915; whether the question of expense has determined the decision not to co-operate; whether he has been made aware of the importance attached to this matter, not only in San-Francisco, but throughout the Republic; whether copies of the prominent American newspapers dealing with the subject have come under his notice; whether he has carefully weighed against the pecuniary consideration the advantage of American good will; and whether he proposes even now to take steps to retrieve the position?

I cannot usefully add anything to the statements made in the House last August, and to the answer given by the Prime Minister on the 12th of this month to the hon. Member for Plymouth, to the effect that His Majesty's Government have recently reconsidered the matter, and regret that they do not feel able to modify their previous decision.

Is the right hon. Gentleman fully aware of the immense importance of the good will of the United States, as for instance, in this present affair of Mexico?

I am very much aware of it, and we attach the greatest importance to the good will of the United States in the matter. I hope in all large questions of policy we have made it quite apparent that we do attach that importance to it, but I cannot think the same importance attaches to the question of participation in this particular exhibition.

If the right hon. Gentleman attaches so much importance to the good will of the United States, why does lie not take better means to cultivate it?

asked the Prime Minister whether the decision is irrevocable that Great Britain and Ireland will not be represented officially at the San Francisco Exhibition of 1915?

As I stated a short time ago, His Majesty's Government have recently reconsidered this matter, and see no reason to modify their previous decision.

Will official encouragement and facilities be given by the Foreign Office and the Board of Trade to those who are organising exhibits by private enterprise?

I should like to have notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the names of the British Dominions participating in the San Francisco Exhibition of 1915, with a short account of the status they claim, the flags they intend to fly, and the outlay they will incur, whether the representatives of the Dominions have consulted him in the matter; whether they have desired that Great Britain and Ireland should be represented; if so, what was the nature of his reply; and whether his activities in the matter are at an end?

Canada will participate and New Zealand, and, I understand, in some degree Australia,, but not South Africa. I forwarded the invitation of the United States Government to the self-governing Dominions in May, 1912, and have been in communication with them ever since, but I am not informed of what they propose to do in detail. Some of them have applied for information at different times as to the attitude of His Majesty's Government, but none of them have expressed a desire that we should reconsider our decision.

Is the right hon Gentleman's attitude due to the Dominions correctly represented by writing "Secretary of State" with two capital "S's," and "Dominion" with a small "d"?

asked whether any negotiations have been entered into with, the French Government for the restriction of the traffic in arms through the port of Jibuti?

His Majesty's Govern-have been in communication with the French Government from time to time ore the subject of the introduction of arms into East Africa through Jibuti, and I understand that the issue of new regulations for the control of the trade in French. Somaliland is now under consideration.

asked the Undersecretary of State for India what steps, if any, the Secretary of State has taken to inquire into the operation of the law in respect of appeals against acquittals, as illustrated by the recent Sitapur case, in which two men who had been acquitted by the Court which tried their case were afterwards condemned to death and hanged by the Order of a Court which had neither the accused nor the accusers before it, which considered no evidence other than the record of the Court below, and did not in fact try the case at all; and whether, in view of the frequent occurrence of cases of this kind in recent years, he will see that the law is altered without unnecessary delay?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. and learned Friend the Member for South Donegal on the 17th February, to which I have nothing to add.

What steps are being taken to investigate this matter, and could the Under-Secretary amplify it in any way?

I do not think I can usefully add anything which is not contained in the answer referred to.

asked the Under-secretary whether his attention had been called to the recent suppression of an Indian newspaper of large circulation and wide repute, known as the "Daily Zamindar," of Lahore; whether he has read the three articles, dated 19th, 20th, and 21st November, in respect of which the declaration of forfeiture was made; and whether, in view of the fact that those articles contained no expression of seditious views and no incitement what ever to violence or disorder, he will direct a further inquiry into this matter?

The Secretary of State has seen the articles. The Punjab Government in making the declaration in question stated that in its opinion the articles were likely to excite disaffection and racial hatred. The editor has the right to appeal to the High Court against the forfeiture, and the Secretary of State will await the result of any action he may take before considering the matter further.

Will the hon. Gentleman say whether there is anything treasonable in any of these articles for which an editor in this country could be punished?

As the question may be subject to appeal, I do not think I can answer that question.

Has my hon. Friend read the articles himself, and will he say whether there was anything but fair comment upon some Government officials?

It would be most undesirable for me to express any opinion on the subject.

asked what progress, if any, was made in the year 1913 with the scheme for providing a university for the province of Burma; and how the matter stands at present?

A scheme has been formulated by the Government of Burma, and is now under discussion between that Government and the Government of India.

Can the hon. Gentleman say when it is going to be settled?

No, Sir; not at present.

asked whether the Secretary of State has considered the judgment of the Chief Justice of Bengal in the Macedonia pamphlet case; and whether the Government of India proposes to amend the provisions of the Indian Press Act, 1910?

The answer to the first part of the question is "Yes''; to the second part, "No."

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the dissatisfaction that has been aroused by the proceedings taken under the Indian Press Act, 1910, under which over twenty newspapers and nearly 800 other publications have been suppressed; whether the right of appeal to the civil courts, which was introduced to prevent any abuse of this law by the executive authority, has been shown in practice to be practically worthless, and that in the opinion of the Chief Justice of Bengal the task imposed upon an applicant to the courts, who must show that his pamphlet does not contain words which fall within the all-comprehensive provisions of the Act, is an almost hopeless task; and whether the Secretary of State will consider the desirability of recommending such an alteration of the law as, while leaving to the Government all necessary power to deal with incitements to sedition and disorder, would provide some effective safeguard of the independence of the Press?

The hon. Member is, I think, extending to all action taken under the Act certain remarks which the Chief Justice of Bengal made with regard to action taken under Section 12. The Secretary of State, after careful consideration of the recent debate in the Governor-General's Legislative Council, holds that the powers of appeal provided in the Act may suffice to supply a remedy against arbitrary administration.

Is my hon. Friend aware that at the Moslem Congress recently held the president, in his presidential address, said that the effect of the Act was to prevent even well-established Indian newspapers of long standing expressing their views, and will he reconsider his attitude with regard to an amendment of the Act?

I will convey the information to the Secretary of State.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) if he will give the Returns relative to the numbers of officers and men in the Territorial Force on 1st August, 1913, 1st September, 1913, 1st October, 1913, 1st November, 1913, 1st December, 1913, and 1st January, 1914; and what were the numbers of the force at the corresponding dates twelve months previously; and (2) if he will give the latest Returns relative to the numbers of officers and men of the Territorial Force; what were the numbers at the corresponding period last year; what is the increase or decline shown; and by how many the present numbers fall below the establishment?

The answer to this and the next question involves a long string of figures, and the hon. Gentleman will therefore perhaps permit me to circulate it with the Votes.—[ See Written Answers this date. ]

Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will be able to say whether he is taking any practical steps to deal with the shortage?

Will the right hon. Gentleman also include in the answer what he considers is the lowest margin of safety in numbers?

I could hardly say that in reply to a question which asks for a Return. I could hardly enter into controversial matters of that kind.

In view of the fact that the right hon. Gentleman has been asked the question a great many times, could he tell us when he will be able to give an answer?

I am asked for certain figures, which I am very anxious to give, and the question of what it is expedient or wise to do is not one which I have been asked.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can make any statement as to the reducing of the payments exacted in the case of men leaving the Army Reserve to join the Navy?

This proposal is still under consideration, and I am not yet in a position to give a definite reply to the question.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman when he will be able to give any information? The question concerns a considerable number of men. I asked about the matter some months ago, and the right hon. Gentleman then gave me practically the same answer.

I can only say that it is still under consideration. It is not a matter which we can settle at once. There is a great deal to be said on both sides.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will now introduce the system of weekly payment of Army Reservists through the agency of the Post Office, in the same manner as old age pensions are paid, in place of the present quarterly payments, in consideration of the fact that these larger payments of £2 5s. quarterly have proved by experience to be bad for the interests of the men and for the good name of the Army generally?

For reasons stated to the House on previous occasions I do not, find myself able to make this change.

asked what is the annual wastage, reckoned in percentages, of men enlisted in each year in the armies of Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, and assessed under the following heads: died, invalided, discharged for misconduct, discharged as unlikely to become efficient soldiers, struck off as deserters?

All the information asked for is not available. It has been necessary to put the answer to the question into the form of a table and, as this cannot conveniently be read out, perhaps I may be permitted to circulate it with the Votes. [ See Written Answers this date ]

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has received any application for the establishment of an officers' training corps for the Cardiff University; and, if so, in what state the matter is?

The application referred to was received, but provision has not been made in this year's Estimates for the formation of a contingent at Cardiff University College.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether Captain Gonne was arrested and lodged in Lewes gaol on the 13th December, 1913, at the suit of the Inland Revenue Department, and released on Monday the 15th December; and whether any mistake had been made in issuing the warrant for this arrest or, if not, whether the release was ordered because the tax claimed had been paid; and, if so, by whom?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Captain Gonne was arrested in due course of law, and his release was ordered because the amount due from him had been paid. The person by whom the payment was made has not disclosed his identity.

Can my hon. Friend tell me the name of the person who paid the tax?

I cannot; because I do not know.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, considering that farmers are exempted from payment of dog licences in respect of dogs used by them in connection with their occupation and that no such exemption is conceded to butchers using dogs for the purposes of their trade, he will consider the possibility of extending such exemption to the latter class?

This is a matter which primarily concerns the local authorities, to whom the proceeds of these licence duties go in relief of local taxation, but, as at present advised, my right hon. Friend fears that he cannot undertake to give favourable consideration to the change suggested in the question.

Does the hon. Gentleman not see the unfairness of the distinction?

If the hon. Gentleman has any representations to make, I am sure my right hon. Friend will be glad to consider them.

asked whether the amount accruing in respect of insured persons who have not chosen a doctor, and have not been assigned to any doctor on the panel, falls to be paid to the doctors who have joined the panel; and why such amount has not been distributed accordingly by the London Insurance Committee?

As regards the first part of the question, I may refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for West Renfrewshire on the 20th instant. With regard to the second part of the question, my right hon. Friend understands that the matter of the distribution of funds is receiving the attention of the London Insurance Committee.

Can the hon. Gentleman not say how soon this question, which has now been before the Committee for a long time, will be settled?

If the hon. Member will give me notice of that question, I will inquire.

asked whether certain members of the county of Worcester Insurance Committee recently held an inquiry into an alleged shortage of doctors in Cradley; whether the inquiry disclosed excessive sickness; and whether the doctors alleged at the inquiry that some approved societies, to help themselves out of the difficulty of inevitable insolvency, were refusing to give sickness benefit for certain diseases, a list of which had been made out, and included gout and bronchitis; and, seeing that the societies' members are thereby necessarily suffering, whether the Government propose to make a grant to the societies concerned, so that the members may obtain their rights, and the fears of insolvency with levies or decreased benefits may be removed?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; as regards the second and third parts, the subcommittee referred to reported that they had no means of confirming the allegations and expressed no opinion upon them. The remaining part of the question does not, therefore, arise.

Will the hon. Gentleman make inquiry as to whether members who have paid their full contributions are getting the full benefits to which they are entitled?

If the hon. Member will put that question down, I will be glad to answer it.

Could the hon. Gentleman say whether we shall get an answer before the next by-election?

asked whether, in view of the fact that insurance agents have done a great deal of work for the Government in explaining the National Insurance Act to the public and in administering it, and are at the present moment complaining of poor remuneration, whilst nevertheless it is impossible for their societies properly to increase their remuneration owing to the small allowance provided by the Insurance Commissioners for administration expenses, the Government will make some further allowance for the purpose?

The Commissioners are un-able to accept the suggestion in the latter part of the question. As my right hon. Friend has frequently stated, they have no power to interfere in the rates of remuneration paid to agents for such work as they do for the National Insurance Act in addition to their normal work, as this is a matter to be settled between themselves and the societies employing them.

Is my hon. Friend aware that one of the largest approved societies connected with industrial insurance has recently increased the remuneration of its agents, and that it is now before the governing bodies of the others whether they should follow that example?

I have no reason to doubt the statement made by the hon. Member.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has received any reports as to the probability of deficiencies at the first valuation of approved societies, which deficiencies will entail levies on or reduced benefits for the members; and, if so, will he give a day for the discussion of the subject?

I have no personal knowledge of the subject, but I understand that any information at present available is necessarily so incomplete as to preclude the possibility of accurate inferences or reliable judgments being based on it. In reply to the second part of the question, I understand that the matter may be discussed to-morrow night.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that almost every day in the Press there are statements by officials of friendly societies that deficiencies will probably occur at the first valuation?

I have no personal knowledge of the matter.

Would the right hon. Gentleman inquire of the National Insurance Commissioners whether they have not already realised that at least 100 societies are about to go into deficiencies, and that they have called upon them to make claims on their reserve funds?

I cannot at the moment add anything to what I have already said.

asked what are the securities which have been bought with the fifteen million pounds invested by the Insurance Commissioners through the National Debt Commissioners, and the rate of interest earned on the investment?

The hon. Member will be able to obtain the information for which he asks from the statutory annual return of the securities held by the National Debt Commissioners, which I hope to lay very shortly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the action of the Caledonian Railway Company, who, when the National Insurance Act came into operation, refused to comply with Part II. of the Act, and declined to accept unemployment books from the joiners, plumbers, slaters, painters, and glaziers employed by the company; whether he is aware that the company on the 9th instant posted a notice at their works informing the workmen in the above trades that it had been decided that they must become insured under Part II. of the Act, that they must procure unemployment books forthwith, and that they must pay up all arrears from the time the Act came into operation at the rate of 2s. 6d. per fortnight; whether he can state who decided that these men should come under the provisions of the Act; and whether they can be compelled to pay up all the arrears from the time the Act came into operation, or whether they should only pay contributions from the date the decision was given that they came under the Act?

The Caledonian Railway Company disputed their liability to pay contributions under Part II. of the National Insurance Act in respect of the classes of workmen referred to by my hon. Friend, and after lengthy correspondence application was finally made to the Umpire for a specific decision, which was communicated to the company on the 16th May last, and was to the effect that contributions were payable in respect of the classes of workmen in question. The points raised in the last part of my hon. Friend's question are not free from difficulty, and I cannot say more at the present moment than that I am giving them careful consideration.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that insured persons being members of approved societies (without local branches authorised to pay benefits directly) have frequently to incur charges amounting to 3d. or 4d. in postage before they can obtain the sums they are entitled to under the Act; and whether steps can be taken by the Insurance Commissioners to remove this hardship and also to obviate the delay in payment of benefits which frequently arises in such cases?

Apart from circumstances of exceptional difficulty, which might in a particular case involve correspondence, my right hon. Friend knows of no reason why insured persons should incur such charges as are referred to in the question. Ordinarily the cost of posting benefit is payable by the society as part of the expenses of administering the benefit.

asked whether a day will be given to discuss the Regulation of the National Insurance Commissioners prohibiting the holding of meetings of members of friendly societies which are approved societies under the Act on licensed premises?

As I have previously stated, in answer to similar questions, no regulation has been laid before the House. I have therefore nothing to add to my former replies.

Will the hon. Gentleman see that no regulation conies into force until the House has had a full opportunity of debating the question?

That is provided for in the Statute?

Does the hon. Gentleman think a discussion after eleven o'clock is a full discussion? Cannot he arrange that the House shall discuss this in the daytime.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether the Board of Agriculture has appointed a chief agricultural analyst, under Section 2 (1) of the Fertilisers and Feeding Stuffs Act, 1906; how many county councils and burgh councils have appointed official agricultural analysts under that Act; ands where none has been appointed, who performs the duties such officials were intended to fulfil?

In October, 1912, the Board of Agriculture for Scotland appointed Mr. James Johnstone Dobbie, D.Sc, LL.D., F.R.S., to be Chief Agricultural Analyst for Scotland under the Fertilisers and Feeding Stuffs Act. Every county council in Scotland and nine town councils have appointed official agricultural analysts. In burghs where a town council has not appointed or concurred in appointing an official agricultural analyst it is provided by No. 1 of the Fertilisers and Feeding Stuffs (General) Regulations, 1907, that the duties of such an official shall be performed by the analyst for the county within which the burgh is situated or with which it has the longest common boundary.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether there is a regulation of one of his many Departments appointing a close time for lobster fishing; if so, what is that close time; if during the close season lobsters are openly displayed for sale throughout the whole of Scotland without any interference on the part of his Department; and will he see that, in view of the fact that the law-abiding suffer loss by this practice, in future any close season will be rigorously enforced?

An Act of 1735, proceeding on an assumption which scientific opinion does not now support, established a close time from 1st June to 1st September. I am informed that it has not been enforced for many years, and that there is no evidence of any desire for its revival. In the circumstances I am not prepared to take action in the matter.

Will the right hon. Gentleman cancel that Order?

It is not an Order but an Act, and it does not apply to Scotland alone.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether the Board of Agriculture recently put forward a scheme for constituting four new holdings on the farm of Ichvachan, Taynuilt; whether the scheme was withdrawn on the sale of the estate; and, if so, why was this course adopted?

I would refer the Noble Lord to the reply given to the hon. Member for the College Division of Glasgow on this subject last Tuesday.

Was not the scheme to all intents and purposes drawn up before the sale took place, and was it not withdrawn only when the purchase took place? Was not the purchaser an ex-Liberal M.P.?

All the information is given in the previous reply. I do not know whether the purchaser was an ex-Liberal M.P. It is quite likely he was. I believe the purchaser was not unwilling, and that a settlement by agreement may still be arrived at.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware the agent of his Department was supposed to be closely associated with the agent of the purchaser?

What agent of my Department does the hon. Member refer to?

The sub-commissioner.

No sub-commissioner was concerned. Nobody had any influence at all. It was merely a question of the cost of the holding.

Is it not the Crown Agent for Scotland who is referred to by the hon. Member opposite?

I received information to that effect from the hon. Baronet the other day. I was not aware.

asked whether, in the case of Eoligary, Barra, the farm was tenanted by a working farmer called Macgillivray; whether half this farm was divided into small holdings by the Congested Districts Board and a promise given that it would not be further sub-divided; whether Macgillivray therefore bought the balance and worked it, but now, although it is his all, the Land Court have ordered it to be subdivided into small holdings, and have rejected Macgillivray's plea that it was his home farm on the grounds that having no tenants he could have no home farm?

Messrs. W. and M. Macgillivray are occupying owners of the farm and estate of Eoligary, which they held as tenants of Lady Cathcart, together with the lands of Grean, Cleat and Ardveenish, up to 1901, when the said lands were sold to the Congested Districts Board for division among Barra cottars, while the Macgillivrays bought the farm of Eoligary (about 3,318 acres in area). I am informed that the Congested Districts Board gave no undertaking as suggested. The Board of Agriculture have applied for 831 acres of the farm for new holdings, and the Land Court, while repelling the plea that Eoligary is a home farm, have not given a decision as stated in the question.

asked how-many small holdings have been established in the county of Perth since the Small Landholders (Scotland) Act, 1911, came into force; whether the Board of Agriculture has any schemes for land settlement in the county under consideration; and whether any of them are likely to mature at an early date?

One new holding is actually occupied, and the work of settling applicants on four other holdings in respect of which the Land Court recently granted a compulsory order is now proceeding. In addition, schemes for the establishment of twenty-four holdings will probably mature in the near future.

How many existing small holdings have been dealt with in the county of Perth?

I must ask for notice of that question.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he is aware that a number of applicants for small holdings, members of the Porthcawl Small Holdings Association, have failed absolutely to secure land for small holdings after waiting for years; whether land in Glamorganshire intended for small holdings by the Glamorgan County Council has been let, or is proposed to be let, to tenants at present farming extensive areas; whether the sanction of the Board of Agriculture has been sought to dispose of land in Glamorganshire intended for small holdings in this manner; whether the Board of Agriculture has sanctioned, or proposes to sanction, any such scheme; and, inasmuch as the Porthcawl smallholders have had no provision made for them, what action the Board of Agriculture propose to take without delay to secure for the members of the Porthcawl Smallholders Association the small holdings they have applied to the authorities for?

It is the case that no land has yet been let to the Porthcawl Society, and that certain land acquired by the county council in the district has been let to other applicants, but the Board are informed by the council that all the tenants have stated in writing that the total area of land held by each of them does not exceed 50 acres. A scheme dealing with the land has been submitted by the county council, but before confirm- ing it the Board propose to hold a local inquiry into all the circumstances of the case.

asked what was the total amount of salary paid to the members of the Board of Agriculture and of the Land Court, respectively, from 1st April to 31st December, 1912; and what was the total expenditure, less salaries, travelling, and maintenance of officials, upon small holdings of the above two bodies during the period named?

The total amounts of salaries for the period stated were:—For members of the Board of Agriculture, £2,400; and for the members of the Land Court, £5,100. It is not possible to state the expenditure upon small holdings for this reason, among others, that the amount of compensation to landlords is not yet settled.

asked the amount of travelling allowance and maintenance paid to officials or employés of the Board of Agriculture or Land Court in connection with small holdings from the 31st December, 1912, to 31st December, 1913; and the amount of the fair rental adjudicated upon?

The amount of such expenditure for that time by the Board of Agriculture was £3,364 16s. 11d., and by the Land Court (including members and staff) was £2,409 7s. 5d. As to the second part of the question, I would refer the Noble Lord to the answer which I gave to the question by the Noble Lord on 18th February.

Might not a very large amount of the expenditure be saved if local people were employed?

I agree, and I have promised to try and save some of the expenditure. That is the object of the amending Bill to the Small Land Holders (Scotland) Act introduced by one of my hon. Friends, and I hope it will have that result.

asked the amount of travelling allowance and maintenance paid to the officials and employés of the Board of Agriculture and Land Court in connection with small holdings from 1st April to 31st December, 1912?

The amount of such expenditure for that time by the Board of Agriculture was £1,440 16s. 10d., and by the Land Court (including members and staff) was £1,469 10s. 3d.

Does this mean that upwards of £8,000 has since been expended for travelling alone?

Has this, expense not been largely increased by difficulties encountered in dealing with various landowners with whom the Scottish Board of Agriculture has been in communication with regard to small holdings?

I do not think the travelling expenses have been increased by that alone. The compensation may, and has been, increased. As a matter of fact it is greatly for the convenience of farmers that these hearings should be held locally, and that involves extra expense.

Has not a great part of the expense been incurred in visiting holdings and reconsidering the rents?

Yes, a considerable part has been incurred in revaluing the farms in accordance with the Statute.

asked whether the abandonment of any of the six schemes of land settlement which the Board of Agriculture for Scotland have found impracticable was due to the excessive demands for compensation of the landowners concerned?

The reply to this question is in the negative.

asked the names of the landowners with whom the Board of Agriculture for Scotland was in negotiation in the six schemes for land settlement in Scotland which have been abandoned, and the acreage involved in each case?

In view of my answer to the previous question, I presume that my hon. Friend will not press this question.

asked the Secretary for Scotland when he proposes to fulfil the pledge given by him at Edinburgh on the 8th November, 1913, that the Government would draft and introduce a Bill according self-government to Scotland; and whether, in view of the introduction during this Session, of a Bill by the lion. Member for Ross and Cromarty for the better government of Scotland, he will take advantage of the opportunity by the Government taking up the Bill officially, or at least by co-operating with the said hon. Member in its drafting?

I am afraid the Government cannot give any pledge to deal with this question during the current Session.

Does the right hon. Gentleman admit having given the pledge referred to in this question at Edinburgh?

There is no allegation in the question that I gave a pledge that the matter would be dealt with this Session. The pledge I gave was that a Government Department would introduce a Bill.

Did not the right hon. Gentleman co-operate with the hon. Member for East Edinburgh in drafting the Small Landholders Amendment Bill which has been introduced into the House? Did not his Department co-operate with a private Member—myself—in drafting a Temperance Bill? Can he not see his way to co-operate with the hon. Member for Ross and Cromarty in drafting a self-government Bill for Scotland, so that we may know where we are?

I have no authority to give such a pledge.

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman take it upon himself? As Ireland is going to be discussed for three hours to-night, I shall ask for half an hour for Scotland on the Adjournment.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he is aware of any cases where railway companies are charging more than the legal increased rates on milk; and if he can see his way to promising any reform which will lead to any reduction of this increased rate in view of the fact that the milk trade is already penalised by freight rates?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. I am not aware of any cases in which the rates on milk exceed the legal maxima. Within those maxima railway companies are free to increase their rates, subject to the obligation to justify the increase, if challenged, before the Railway and Canal Commission. As I informed the hon. Member for the Lewes Division yesterday, the railway companies, alter conference with representatives of the milk traders, have issued a modified scale of charges to come into force next month.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that where the extra expense amounts to a fraction of a penny, that fraction is swollen into a penny in the increased rates?

That particular aspect of the question is being considered by the authorities concerned.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the proposed modified scale of charges is in many cases four times that which is justified by the railway company's expenditure?

That question, too, is being inquired into.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether any fresh outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease have occurred in the county of Durham or elsewhere in Great Britain; and what precautions are being taken against the spread of the disease?

There are no further developments in connection with the Durham and Worcestershire outbreaks, but I regret to state that two fresh separate outbreaks have been confirmed in cowsheds within the city of Liverpool. In the first case nine out of thirteen animals on the premises were found to be affected, and in the second case two out of ten. All the animals on both premises have been slaughtered, and the usual restrictions were at once enforced, and inquiries are being made as to the possible sources of the outbreaks. Every precaution is being taken to prevent the possibility of further spread of the disease.

Did these two cases occur in the city of Liverpool or in Birkenhead, and are the usual restrictions imposed on the movement of live stock in the neighbourhood?

The two cases referred to. arose in the city of Liverpool and the usual restrictions were at once enforced.

Is there reason to think any of these cases of disease are due to fodder imported from abroad, and, if so, will steps be taken to stop the importation?

I have no information on that point.

Do the restrictions imposed cover a fifteen-mile radius round the city?

I understand that to be the case.

asked the Postmaster-General whether instructions have been issued to post-offices in Ireland to refuse letters addressed in Irish; and, if so, whether there are thousands of people in Ireland to whom Irish is the native language and who know English only imperfectly or not at all; and whether he will make arrangements so that letters addressed in Irish may be duly distributed?

No recent instructions have been issued on this subject. It has long been the rule that a parcel or registered letter addressed in characters other than those in ordinary use in the United Kingdom shall not be accepted. If any letter or small article which need not be handed over the counter is found in the post addressed in Irish (whether in Irish characters or not), it is sent to Dublin, unless the address for which it is intended can be ascertained at the office at which it is found.

Is it a fact that all parcels addressed in Irish to people in Ireland have been refused by the Post Office?

From the answer I have just given that does not appear to be so.

Are letters addressed in-Welsh duly delivered in Wales?

Can the hon. Gentleman say how many hon. Members below the Gangway have an elementary knowledge of the Irish alphabet?

asked the Prime Minister whether he intends to introduce and pass into law the Daylight Saving Bill during the present Session?

I fear the Government cannot undertake to deal with this matter.

Will the right hon. Gentleman afford facilities to the private Member's Bill which has been introduced already?

It must take its chance with the other private Members' Bills.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will consider the desirability of making arrangements to afford the public postal facilities at all sub-offices where other business is carried on during the hours of closing under the Shops Act; and whether the inconvenience to the public of being unable to buy post-age stamps before or after closing hours could be mitigated by the provision of automatic or penny-in-the-slot machines placed in such positions as to be always accessible to purchasers?

There is no power to keep open for post office business during the statutory weekly half-holiday a non-telegraph sub-post office carried on in a shop unless it can be certified that the exigencies of the postal service require that post office business should be transacted during the period in question. If the hon. Member has any particular case in mind, I shall be glad to have inquiry made as to the circumstances. I am considering the desirability of installing automatic stamp-vending machines outside post offices, but some time must elapse before a decision can be reached.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has received any requests from the Scottish Post Office (including Dundee) as to the abolition of the separate standard of classification for Scotland, whereby a number of offices were placed on a lower scale than they should have been; and when does he intend to put the decision of the Holt Committee in this respect into operation, and thereby remove one of the grievances of Scotland?

The question of adjusting the classification of Scottish offices for the scales of pay of indoor force in accordance with the Holt Committee's recommendation is under consideration, and I hope that it may be possible to make an announcement on the subject shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department upon which day and date he proposes to introduce his promised amending Bill to the Coal Mines (Regulation) Acts?

The Bill will be introduced shortly, but I am unable at present to give the date.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to regulations recently enforced in France and Germany forbidding the use in public places of unprotected hat-pins; and whether, having regard to the number of serious accidents which have resulted in this country from the use of unprotected hat-pins, he will take such steps, by legislation or otherwise, as may be necessary to protect the public from a serious and growing danger?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, I have no power to make any regulations in the matter, and I am afraid that I cannot undertake to introduce legislation; but, if the practice can be shown to be a public; danger, the local authorities might deal with it under their power of making bylaws for good rule and government. In the case of tramcars, by-laws might be made under the Tramways Act, 1870.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that women do not get the vote until they have voluntarily adopted this protection?

asked the Home Secretary whether the Government intend to reintroduce and pass into law this Session the Bill to consolidate and amend the law relating to inebriates?

This Bill was introduced and read a first time last Wednesday, and has been circulated to the House. The Second Reading will be taken as soon as possible.

asked the Home Secretary to what extent the number of offenders under the age of twenty-one, imprisoned in default of paying fines, has been reduced since the despatch of the Home Office circular upon the subject to the magistrates in 1910?

The exact information asked for could only be ascertained after laborious search at all the prisons, but the following figures, giving the total number of prisoners received on conviction, under the age of twenty-one in each of the last three years, show that a satisfactory decrease has taken place: 11,500, 9,200, 8,700. All but a small percentage of these prisoners were sentenced to terms not exceeding one month.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any information to give the House as to military operations in the Jubaland Province of British East Africa?

The Marshan tribe in the extreme North-East district of the Protectorate have by their persistently aggressive attitude towards the adjoining tribes created great unrest, and, on the strong recommendation of the Governor, I have authorised steps to be taken for their disarmament. The present position is somewhat obscure, and I am awaiting further information for which I have asked.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received petitions in favour of immediate legislation dealing with imported plumage through all or any of the Prime Ministers of the States of Australia?

I have received several representations from various societies and institutions in Australia urging His Majesty's Government to pass the Importation of Plumage (Prohibition) Bill.

Were these petitions forwarded by the Prime Ministers?

The obvious channel would be the Governor, not the Prime Minister. I forget the channel through which they reached me.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if there are to be any naval manœuvres this year; and, if so, between what dates?

asked the right hon. Gentleman (1) the date when the naval manœuvres for this year will take place; and, if it has been decided that no manœuvres are to take place, the reasons that have led the Admiralty to come to that conclusion; and (2) whether he has ascertained if foreign Governments are proposing this year to abandon their naval manœuvres; and, if he has not already done so, will he make the necessary inquiries and give the information to the House?